Mixing
Danny Cipriani handed his first England start in a decade as England take on South Africa in theThird and final Test
21st June 2018,
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DANNY CIPRIANI is set to make his first England start in a decade when he faces South Africa on Saturday.
Playmaker Cips has not started a Red Rose game since 2008 when Martin Johnson's side were hammered by the Springboks at Twickenham.
So it is a huge boost for the 30-year-old's World Cup chances as he is named as the starting fly-half this weekend for the first time under Eddie Jones' two-and-a-half-year reign.
Cipriani said: “It's a privilege to be here. I feel very grateful for the opportunity.
"My emotions are that I want to be the calmest guy on the field so when international pressures come, people can turn to me and understand that I'm thorough in what I'm doing.
"It's just going to be a rugby game in which I know I must execute. That's what I've tried to be consistent with over the last couple of years.
"I went to Australia when I was younger because I was going through a tough time and wanted to experience a different culture. My plan was always to come back and play for England.
"Anyone who knows me, knows that's what I've always wanted. My bigger picture was always playing for England. Eddie doesn't want to restrict anyone from being themselves.
"There are certain ways that he wants you to lead the team and you've got to do what's best for the team. Every group you come into that's the focus and the mindset.
"It's the ultimate team game, so for me it's about trying to get the victory on Saturday."
England and under-fire boss Jones are in desperate need of a win after already losing the series to the Springboks.
And they will have to do it without the world-class Vunipola brothers after Mako returned home for the birth of his son and Billy broke his battered arm again in Bloemfontein.
Cipriani comes in for George Ford at No10 with the rest of the backline unchanged.
But Brad Shields misses out as he is ill, with Chris Robshaw replacing him.
Jones said: “We are up for the battle and are going to rip in on Saturday.
"We want another committed performance where it will be crucial to maintain our composure when the heat is on.
“We are expecting a wet and windy old day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option.
"We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions.
“I’ve been really impressed with the fortitude of the squad under Owen Farrell, who is a young captain, and with a number of young players who have really stuck to the task."
ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA
ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA
15 Elliot Daly (Wasps, 20 caps)
14 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 60 caps) captain
11 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 71 caps)
10 Danny Cipriani (Wasps, 15 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 76 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 27 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 12 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 53 caps)
5 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 21 caps)
6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 65 caps)
7 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 3 cap)
8 Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 16 caps)
Bench
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
17 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
19 Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 0 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 3 caps)
21 Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
22 Ben Spencer (Saracens, 2 cap)
23 Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks, 4 caps)
"We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions.
“I’ve been really impressed with the fortitude of the squad under Owen Farrell, who is a young captain, and with a number of young players who have really stuck to the task."
England are looking to salvage some pride from the three Test series, having blown a huge lead to lose the first match 42-39, and then slumping to another defeat in the second game, losing 23-12.
DANNY CIPRIANI is set to make his first England start in a decade when he faces South Africa on Saturday.
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